What's the "magic" codec (if any)?

[AlecWest]

Hello. I have two laptops. One runs Windows 7 Home Premium, the other Windows XP Pro SP3. Installed on both is Canopus ProCoder 3.0. ProCoder 3.0, of course, does not recognize the MKV file-type. However, if I want to convert an MKV file to any other format, I can do it easily on my XP laptop by simply changing the MKV suffix to AVI - which ProCoder 3.0 recognizes. But on my Windows 7 system, it won't do the same thing. Does anyone have any idea what kind of codec I might be lacking on the Windows 7 system that is not lacking on the XP system? At this point, I'm willing to experiment with anything (grin). Thanks in advance to all who reply.

Regards,
J. Alec West

[johns0]

Install ffdshow and haali media splitter.

[jagabo]

Try installing haali or LAV filters first (MKV reader/splitter). If that isn't enough add ffdshow (A/V decoders).

[_Al_]

or if you load it into Avisynth, Procoder will load that script then ...

[AlecWest]

Thanks to all who replied. I didn't try the Avisynth approach but will eventually. FWIW, I've always had a workaround solution from an unlikely source. Replay Media Catcher has a conversion utility that will convert an MKV into "AVI same quality" format. And, the AVI result does retain the quality (though it creates a much bigger AVI file). Then, Procoder does the rest.

I already had haali and ffdshow onboard - but they didn't seem to help. However, I want to thank jagabo for suggesting LAV filters. LAV filters didn't solve my specific problem. But, they solved other conversion problems - so it was definitely worth the installation. Thanks.

P.S. - I wonder if the issue has something to do with the differences between 32bit and 64bit operating systems. My XP system is 32bit. My Win7 system is 64bit. My Procoder is a 32bit app.

Regards,
J. Alec West